Born just before the outbreak of war in 1939, William Morris grew up in the Rhondda and at 20yrs of age became a member of one of the final cohorts of young men to enter National Service. This was only three months before compulsory conscription was cancelled in December 1960. William served for a full two years as a National Serviceman, leaving the RAF as a Medic in September 1962. He was then obliged to transfer to the Reserves for the next seven years but was never called up to serve in the Armed Forces again. 

In one aspect of largely 'hidden' Welsh history William as an RAF Medic, was actively involved in the UK government's vaccination programme in South-East Wales in January 1962. The programme resulted from a very serious epidemic of Smallpox which had erupted across Cardiff, Bridgend and the Rhondda. This Smallpox epidemic cost many lives before being brought under control.  A photo of Cpl William Morris from Treorchy administering the vaccine was used by the government of the time.

Aged 86yrs at the time of this filmed interview for the Heritage Lottery Funded, Age Cymru Dyfed's National Service and Wales stories project, William looks back proudly upon his time as a RAF Medic 65yrs ago and concludes that if he could do it again he would do so "in a heartbeat".

This is part one of William's filmed recollections.  Part two is also contained in his collection. The interviewer is Hugh Morgan and cameraman, Neil Davies.  The recording took place at William's home in Rhydowen, West Wales on 8th December 2025.